How Long Does a Typical TMJ Flare Up Last?

You wake up in the morning and yawn, only to discover that you can barely open your mouth without excruciating pain. Already, you know that breakfast is going to be difficult to eat, and chewing hard foods is out of the question. You're having yet another TMJ flare-up.

What causes TMJ flare-ups, and how long do they last? What can you do to prevent your TMJ from getting worse, and what should you do when the pain becomes unmanageable?

As with any dental problem that's causing you pain, consulting your dentist is an important first step. Because TMJ is often an ongoing problem, educating yourself can make a big difference.

Read on for our guide to TMJ flare-ups and what to expect from them.

What Causes TMJ?

Between 5 and 12% of American adults have some form of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder, but many have yet to receive a formal diagnosis. You may not realize that the pain you experience in your jaw and throughout your head, neck, and shoulders comes from a specific disorder.

The joint in question attaches your jaw bone to the rest of your skull, helping this connection to work like a hinge. Whether you're talking, chewing, smiling, or clenching your teeth, this joint is engaged and working hard. TMJ disorders arise when one or both of these joints become irritated or injured. 

What Is a TMJ Flare Up?

TMJ disorders cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• Pain around or in the jaw joint
• Popping or clicking sounds when opening or closing the mouth or otherwise moving the jaw
• Limited range of motion in the jaw that limits the ability to speak, chew, and yawn
• Headaches
• Earaches
• Pain that radiates down the neck and into the shoulders
• Lock jaw

Many patients don't realize they have TMJ because the symptoms aren't constant. You might go weeks or even months without having any problems, only for them to return. This is what we call a TMJ flare-up, a period of time when your TMJ disorder seems more active or noticeable than normal.

How Long Do Typical TMJ Flare-Ups Last?

If you're in the middle of a TMJ flare-up, it's natural to wonder how long you have to wait until you experience some relief. For some people, TMJ flare-ups last only a few days, while others live with TMJ flare-ups that go on for weeks. It all depends on the severity of your TMJ disorder and what triggered it in the first place.

If you have a TMJ disorder, you're going to want to avoid foods that require excessive chewing. This includes a lot of raw vegetables, which are much easier to chew up when cooked and tender. Even chewing gum can trigger a TMJ flare-up.

What many people don't realize is that stress can play a major role in TMJ as well. Stress can cause you to clench your jaw without realizing it, putting a great deal of strain on that tender joint. Other unexpected triggers include poor posture, dehydration, deficiencies in vitamin D, and changes in hormone levels.

How Can You Manage a TMJ Flare-Up?

When you're dealing with a flare-up, you're going to want some quick relief that will allow you to go on with your day. At-home solutions and remedies include:

• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Intermittent use of heating pads and cold packs
• Gentle massage around the jaw
• Avoidance of hard or crunchy foods
• Stress management techniques like deep breathing

You may need to take additional steps to manage residual symptoms like pain in the neck and shoulders. You can use your heating pads and cold packs on these areas as well, and stretch or massage any stiff or tender muscles. Keep in mind that if your TMJ causes headaches, you may want to avoid long-term use (more than three days in a row) of OTC pain relievers, or you may suffer from rebound headaches. 

How Is TMJ Treated?

The steps we've mentioned are fine when you're seeking immediate relief, but none of them work as long-term solutions. Rather than managing each flare-up as it comes, it's time to talk to your dentist about possible treatment methods that could prevent future flare-ups, altogether. 

How your dentist will treat your TMJ will depend on what is causing it. At Dental Care Burke, Dr. Lynch starts with an advanced technique called electromyography. This provides a precise record of your joint and muscle activity when you bite, allowing him to determine whether or not you would benefit from jaw alignment.

Patients may also want to consider a custom mouthguard to wear while sleeping. This will prevent clenching and grinding of your teeth, which often occurs while we're asleep and so we don't take notice. 

What Happens if You Don't Seek TMJ Treatment?

Many patients assume that TMJ flare-ups are the worst part of having a TMJ disorder and assume that at-home management is enough. However, frequent flare ups that continue without intervention can take a bigger toll. 

In addition to the physical pain that can disrupt your day and lead to debilitating headaches, untreated TMJ can cause a decline in your oral health. Constant grinding and clenching can wear away enamel and cause teeth to crack and chip, exposing delicate roots and creating tooth pain and sensitivity. Untreated TMJ can also do harm to the jaw bone itself.

For some patients, TMJ flare-ups are accompanied by cognitive problems like brain fog, memory loss, and confusion. Not only does the presence of pain impact the way your brain functions but it also causes loss of sleep, which can disrupt cognitive functioning.

Get Relief from TMJ with Dental Care Burke

If you're used to living with the occasional (or frequent) TMJ flare-up, it's time to do things differently. Dr. Bernard Lynch, DMD, FAGD, LVIF is committed to your dental health, and that includes providing long-term relief from TMJ.

Whether you've been diagnosed with TMJ or suspect you may have it, we can help. Contact us today to schedule your appointment with Dental Care Burke.